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Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Hells Angels MC purchases vacant church

Brookhaven, NY (December 18, 2018) BTN — Brookhaven Town
officials say the Hells Angels have purchased a former Centereach church and
plan to use it as the club’s new headquarters.

The motorcycle club's Suffolk County chapter, which held a
children's toy drive at the Lynbrook Street site earlier this month, plans to
modify the structure's interior and obtain town permits before moving in,
officials said. Town officials said club leaders have been cooperative and plan
to be "good neighbors."

Brookhaven officials said some neighboring residents have
expressed concern about the club's purchase of the property, but they said the
town cannot prevent the group from using the site as long as members abide by
local codes.

“I share the concerns of the residents who have called me,”
town Councilman Kevin LaValle said. “There's nothing we can say, like, 'You
can’t come in here.' . . . They just have to come into compliance before they
use the building.”

In a phone interview, Manhattan attorney Ron Kuby, who
represents the Hells Angels, said the Suffolk club wants “to have a safe and
happy community.”

“Even though they have a fearsome reputation, as neighbors
they tend to be an asset to the neighborhood,” Kuby said. “Historically,
anywhere there has been a Hells Angels presence, street crime has fallen off
dramatically.

They patronize local businesses, and they are a private
organization of motorcycle enthusiasts who largely wish to be left alone to
pursue the things that are of interest to them. …Once people peel back the
layer of prejudice they have toward them, they find that they’re good to have
around.”

A Suffolk County police spokesman said the department was
aware of the group's purchase of the property, but he declined to comment
further.

Deputy Town Attorney David Moran said he met with two Hells
Angels leaders on Friday to discuss building requirements and the group's plans
for the property. He said the club is required to obtain building permits for
any work done on the site, and a certificate of occupancy before the group
moves in.

“It went swimmingly," Moran said of the meeting.
"They were gentlemen.. . . All
they want to do is comply and be good neighbors.”

Town officials inspected the buildingand ordered the installation of smoke and
carbon monoxide detectors, Moran said.

LaValle said Hells Angels members have mentioned plans to
use the building, which has been vacant for several years, as a church, but a
flyer referred to the property as a clubhouse.

“That’s something we’re going to have to talk to them
about,” LaValle said. “We’re going to get a better idea of what specifically is
going to go on the property.”

The Dec. 8 toy drive, which included a live music
performance inside the church, attracted "a few hundred people,"
raising concerns about parking, Moran said. He added the town received no noise
complaints associated with the gathering.

He said the group planned to distribute gifts collected at
the event to local fire departments and religious groups.

The club has not submitted a building permit application
with the town, Moran said.

“As far as we’re concerned, they have a clean slate and
we’re going to treat them the way we treat everyone," he said.